December 2010
1 post
Marketing for Architect; What Story Can Do
I’m not sure about you… But I just can’t believe it’s already Mid-December…pretty much just two weeks before the end of 2010…where did the year go!!! I have to say that I’m very happy with all the things have been able to achieve this year and I do hope you do to. From publishing a book to moving across country from Seattle to Miami and with two dogs and...
November 2010
2 posts
Marketing for Architect; Wise Use of 3rd Party...
It’s pointless to brag about one’s traits oneself. Usually, results in an opposite effect of what’s intended. It’s human nature to roll one’s eyes anytime someone says “I’m the best” at just about anything. Muhammad Ali being the exception that “makes” the rule. Furthermore, a number of architectural boards prohibit you from saying you are better than anyone around you. But there is Good...
Marketing for Architect; When Less Is more- with...
Bonjour!
Christian here, getting ready for the weekend! The last few weeks have been pretty busy with the new 6-Step Marketing Blueprint and working with new members and getting use to Always Sunny Miami! What a change from Seattle!!!
With that said, there is One thing we can all agree these days: Each day we’re bombarded with more media clamoring for our attention. Emails, website...
October 2010
3 posts
Marketing for Architect; Are You Taking Action?
Most of our peers refuse to move or take action on items that are completely under their control related to marketing and sales and that will make real difference in the current and evolving new architectural economy. They quite literally remain imprisoned by fences of their own making and that is if they have any sort of marketing in place. Mentally and emotionally and personally and in...
Marketing for Architects; Are You Making These...
To follow-up from my last post, today I want to reinforce that when you have a business, and yes architecture is a business, you should be suing direct response marketing as a primary means of advertising. But before I go further, I don’t know about you, but I have to say that I always get an extra charge of energy at this time of year for the final sprint to get all my goals done by the end of...
Marketing for Architect; Mass Media is ALWAYS...
I’m sure some of you will agree with me, there is just not enough hours in a day and days in a week…at least when you just move to a new home, in a new city AND in a completely different climate. The good thing is that after only 3 weeks, we are finally getting pretty much done with most everything. I even had time to go for an 1hr swim early Sunday morning in the ocean and it was fantastic! Ok,...
September 2010
3 posts
Marketing for Architect; Mass Media is ALWAYS...
For a steady flow of clients who need your services, a variety of mass media (any form of media that reaches many multiples of thousands of potential clients…and NO, your website is Not Enough…) is necessary to deliver them to the front door on a more regular basis. Otherwise, the refrain of ‘waiting in vain’ will be a familiar one. Why is this the case? Reason #1: Unfortunately,...
Marketing for Architect; Your Communication
Your Communication You need to have a “sales” structure in place And in front of you so you can practice your communication skills on a regular basis to be sure you improve it over time. People like to work with people they connect with and that they like. If you go to the effort of making the client feel that you are more alike than different, they will like you more. If you observe your own...
Marketing For Architects; Tired of being the best...
In today’s world, well over 50% of future prospect will either find their architect on the web or go to the web to check him/her out before making a first ‘live’ contact - and the number is constantly growing. That’s why any architect (especially solo architects and small firm owner) who wants to be part of the winners MUST be accessible to prospective clients on the web. Every serious...
August 2010
5 posts
Marketing for Architect; Building More Than The...
Architecture is a big ticket item and therefore you have to provide more than good value. In other words, you need to provide more than just good design. Sorry if I burst your bubble, but it is not enough and anyway, why would your prospects expect less than the best design for their project? Truthful comparison of the benefits of the services you are offering with other services or other type...
Marketing for Architect; Is Green the Green Light...
There was a great article this weekend in the Wall Street Journal by Scott Adams. It was a funny article and one that we can obtain critical information on what your prospects think and probably have for opinion on Green Architecture… Critical if you want to get new prospects with their projects! Here’s what you can find in the first two paragraphs…OUTCH!!!! “You see an article in a magazine about...
Marketing for Architect; Are you the Walmart of...
There is an article in this month Architect magazine about how far architects are ready to slash their rates to get a project, any projects, even if that mean not to make any profit on those projects.
http://www.architectmagazine.com/design-fees/self-inflicted-losses.aspx
I’ve said it before, if you don’t make profit on your projects, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby…not fun to deal...
Last Day for the ‘Early-Bird’ Webinar Special Rate...
Hi there,
Quick note to remind you that the last day for the ‘Early-Bird’ Special rate for my up-coming webinar is today! Click here if you’re ready to cut to the chase and reserve your place http://www.elevationrg.com/The-Business-of-Architecture.html In this webinar, I will share with you what you absolutely need to know and need to deal with in this new architectural...
Marketing for Architect; Do you make sure that...
Big changes since my last post, I just drove across country from Seattle to Miami…my new home! Talk about long hours in a car…well worth it though…it’s sunny here! As you can imagine, we stayed in many different hotels during our ‘journey’ and I made all reservations weeks before leaving Seattle since we have two dogs and a cat and we needed to be sure we could stay in those different...
July 2010
7 posts
Marketing for architect; 2 important pieces of...
Two numbers grab my attention this week, one for Google and one from the Architecture Building Index (ABI); 90% for Google and 57.7% for ABI.
What’s this mean for you? New reports shows that Google now controls over 90% of all searches on the internet (compare to Yahoo at 3.9% and Bing at 3.7%). Don’t expect people to call you about their project if they don’t see your firm information when they...
Anonymous asked: Is your book available in an e-book format? i-book would be preferable.
Marketing for Architect; You have to be The...
A few weeks ago, we talked about your communication and this week it’s time to cover how you can and should convey to your prospect that you are the best option for them. But first I want to remind you of my up-coming speaking engagement at Elevation Research Group’s 4-part series, The Business of Architecture: Firm Development, Effective Marketing, and Attracting Clients. You can view the agenda...
The Business of Architecture: Firm Development,...
I would like to share with you some information about a four-part series of webcasts on Successful Marketing for Architecture Firms that I’ve been invited to be one of the speaker.
This will run September 13-16, 2010 and my presentation will be on Tuesday the 14th. Each of the four webcasts will focus on one particular area of establishing and maintaining a successful firm from brand...
Marketing for Architect; Are you sure your...
Well, summer finally arrived last week in Seattle and it is already over…it was a ‘fresh’ 53 degree this morning…Grrrr!!! You would be right to bet that everyone around here talk about the cold weather!!! I went to see our soccer team last night and it was a lot of fun and I’m glad I had my scarf…you can watch a video of the opening on my Facebook account…from my new I-Phone 4 :-) A few...
Marketing for Architects; Did you know that Social...
Bonjour! Christian here…I hope you had a great 4th of July and that you had a chance to celebrate with family and friends. I sure hate too many home-made fries…just couldn’t stop myself!!! I’m taking this day-off to catch-up with some reading and came across this new information…
According to a new study, the social networking sites (Facebook and company) will be the preferred method of...
***Book Sale- End Today***
Bonjour %$firstname$%! Christian here, with a reminder that the Book Sale end today…25% Discount from the Regular Price! But First I want to wish you a Joyeux 4th of July!!! With great weather for a fun Long Weekend With Your Family and Friend! Ok, a quick reminder about the book… Some of you bought my new book and sent me great comments about it and I decided that it was time for a 25%...
June 2010
9 posts
Lack Of Business Systems
One of the biggest problem architects’ owners have that is from solo architects to small firm owners is not having business systems in place to run their practice (read business here). Systems either run your business or people do. That might sound odd because it seems obvious that you need people to run your business systems. And, you are absolutely correct you do need people to run the...
Summer Book Sale!!!
Bonjour! Summer is already here and not sure when it got here… Might be because I’ve been very busy with lots of good things; The new 6-Pack Training Program, the New Book (with a new sales price…more on this in a minute…) and the AIA Convention just a few weeks ago. I’m not sure about you, but many of my members have reported that things are picking-up in a good way and that they’re seeing...
Bonne St-Jean!!!
Today is La St-Jean in Québec, sort of a 4th of July for Québécois…also called La Fête nationale du Québec.
It is so important for us (Quebecois in or away from the mother land…) that it is a paid public holiday and it is celebrated annually on June 24.
In Quebec, the festivities occur on June 23 and June 24 and since 1978 are publicly financed and organized by a National Holiday...
Building More Than The Foundation
Bonjour!
So Finally it’s summer AND it is actually a nice sunny and warm day here in the North West!!! Sure help with your spirit!!!
Last time we talked about ‘putting walls down’ to ensure that you can get the projects that you want…lets take a look at what you need to put in place once those are out of the way…
Building More Than The Foundation Architecture is a...
Taking the Walls Down
On my way back from Miami I made a ‘short’ stop to New Jersey for a few days…to help some cardiologists decide on if they can use their space for a TI or not…in other words, I was there for my expertise and use that time to show them that they will benefit from working with me. The key point here is that I did this before talking about doing the project with them or not. ...
Show Me The Money!
Yesterday I went to a presentation called; Show me the money: ‘how to get paid for you services’ by Lou Moreno and Jennifer Suzuki. It was interesting, good and all simple concepts that we should all know and think about in our practice…but elas!!!!
Here are my best 10 from their presentation;
1- Do not start any service without a signed contract…so simple but yet, so...
AIA Convention 2010
Bonjour!
I just posted some pictures from the AIA convention on my Facebook account…people getting ready to make this convention a big success!!!
If you’re around, stop by to talk with me at the AEC-Daily booth #712 and get a chance to win my new marketing book!
Resistance Walls
I’m in South Beach this week for two things; 1-Presenting my new book at the AIA Convention (come see me at the AEC-Daily Booth #712), 2- to find a space for a client for a new TI. As I was meeting with different Real Astate Agent, none of them asked me what I was NOT looking for. All their attention was on what I want but not all the ‘what will or can potentially break the...
That's for Me!!! Really???
Today’s 3rd Tip on Marketing for Architects is a critical one, and I see this over and over again with solo architects and small firm owners…you are not doing yourself a favor by trying to be just like all the ‘big guys’ in our field…
3. That’s For Me Reaction Too many architect’s position in the marketplace is as “just another architect” in search of anybody as...
May 2010
12 posts
New article for 'The Profitable Architect'
Here’s the link to the latest Article about my New Book, this one in World Architecture News…more Marketing for Architects!
http://tinyurl.com/33cdewb
Prospect Contact and Follow-up
In today’s world, the new reality is that most new clients will either find their architect on the web or if they know about one, they will go to the web to check him/her out before making any first contact - and the number is constantly growing. That’s why any architect who wants to get new projects MUST be accessible to prospective clients on the web.
This seems like a no brainer...
Why not use ugly furniture to promote your...
I often get this question from architects that are thinking of starting a blog; What do I post on my blog???? Of course you need to present your work, provide value and good information for people, but it can also be about other things than your work. Here’s a good example that you should have fun with what you present on your blog. A friend of mine sent me this link (I know I know…it’s in...
Did you read; Don’t LEED Us Astray
Not sure if you saw this open letter in the Opinion section of the New York Times today…but it would be in your best interest to read it if you present yourself and being a ‘Green Architect’…
Too often, we are pushed by our industry to think that we don’t have much to offer and/or compete with if we don’t go LEED…there’s a general feeling that...
Unlocking "Brain Freeze"
As a solo architect and even for small firm owners, it’s often time to be creative,
or should I say to ‘unlock’ your creativity.
Here’s a few ideas for you to use when you get one of those ‘Brain Freeze’…
1. Associate with Many...
“When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but
you won’t...”
– Leo Burnet
I have this quote in my book and also in my office on the wall just in front of my desk so I can alsways keep an eye on it. Not sure about you but this quote sure give me strenght and energy to reach my goals…and much more!
Lesson From Zappos- Are you tough enough with your...
Not that long ago I was in Vegas and went to do a tour at Zappos. Yeap, you can contact then and schedule a tour of their main office and they will show you everything you need to know about them…great tour and you should definitely try to do it if you have to spend some time in Vegas…they even have a shuttle to come pick you up from your hotel!
In addition of being a fun tour, it...
Want to know more about Google Ad Auction? Then...
If you are using Adwords but you are not exactly sure how it works, then you need to watch this video…If you are a small firm owner and you are still not using Adwords, then you really need to watch this video! Hal Varian, chief economist at Google, explains in a simple way how Google Ad Auction really works. You’ll see- it’s really about good thinking for better results for...
Will Green Architecture Bring You New Project?
Yesterday, AIA President George Miller, FAIA, discussed at the 2010 Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference the need to pass legislation that will get our profession back on our feet - legislation that will provide tax relief to struggling businesses, help make affordable housing more sustainable and more available and encourage investment in energy efficient green buildings to get architects working...
TMT of the week! (Tuesday Marketing Tip)
Bonjour! Et bien cette semaine nous allons parler de ce qui est unique chez vos clients… Oops! Wrong language!!! So last week was about what’s unique about you…for example, I can easily switch from English to french…but is it really what the people that I work with want from me? Not if they don’t speak both languages… So this week we are going to look at the...
Maintain A Good Marketing Plan...And Use it!!!
I like to think of spring as a time to reaffirm goals, sort of like a New Year’s resolutions do-over ; ) Sometimes we get distracted by details in the beginning of the year and our larger goals fall by the wayside. If you’ve let your resolutions for your marketing plan slip, spring, the season of renewal, is the time to re-commit to them! Let’s take a look at how you can...
GET INSIDE MONTREAL DESIGNER'S HEADS
If you are around Montreal this weekend…it’s your chance to see what Montreal’s designers have to offer…
Once again, Montréal designers and architects open their doors to the public. May 1 and 2, 2010, from noon to 5 p.m.
Go visit the website, it’s pretty cool how you can easily create your own ‘show’ http://www.portesouvertesdesignmontreal.com/about/
...
April 2010
7 posts
Are You Afraid To Tell People What You Do?
Dear Architect,
Are you sure that people know what you do from your logo and/or company name? Or is it just a slick logo/name and you believe that people should know?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but most people won’t know if you are not really clear about it…don’t be afraid to spell the beans for them. Here’s a good example of how some businesses are just wasting their...
Follow-up on what to say in Green
It’s pretty funny how sometimes things fall in place at the right time. I just talked about Green Architecture and the same day there is an article about my book in the magazine Contract in which I say the following…
Pretty good follow-up on what I talked about yesterday!
Could you give us one way in which architects could better promote themselves and their work? One easy way to...
Are you sure you want to be all Green? Better...
Hi there, I just saw an interesting article about Green Architecture and let me tell you, if you do focus on green design you need to read this article. If you want to get more clients, you should read it as well. Be sure to read it without your architect’s hat, but with your prospect’s shoes to fully benefit from it. The reason I say it’s a great one is because it really shows you what your...
TMT of the Week!
Bonjour!
I decided to post short tips with with actually give you some ideas on how to use those tips. TNT stands for Tuesday Marketing Tips!
1. Uniqueness of Your Services
The services that you are offering to your clients each have their own qualities. For example; there is a big difference between doing residential and retail architecture. Those unique characteristics are what you need to...
WatchThe perfect timing is right now…
Obviously this is a very ‘house’-made video and there to show you that you should not wait to be perfect before posting your first video on your blog, same for sending an email to your prospect list with a video in it. I talk about in the clip that you can make a short video while at a construction site…
What about doing several clips...
U.S. Millionaire Tally Soared 16% in ‘09
Did you see this article in the Wall Street Journal telling us that the number of U.S. households with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence, jumped 16% to 7.8 million in 2009 from 6.7 million the year before, according to a report released today by Spectrum Group?
Here’s the link to the article; Us Millionaire Tally Soared 16% in ‘09
That’s some...
I'm Doing It!!!
Here it is, my own Blog! I know what you’re thinking…it’s about time…I’m thinking the same… But probably just like you, I’ve been looking into the pros and cons and all the different social media (Blogs, Twitters, Facebook and More…) and finally realized that there is a lot to gain from it. The big down side is the time you need to invest in all those. But hey, I decided that when you are...